Depression & Social Anxiety - What Are My Chances?

[Ailu 0]

Hi guys. I'm new here so apologies if this is in the wrong place.

Me (21M, UK) and my partner (19F, US) are planning on starting our K1 process soon. I will be moving to the US.

About 4 months ago my GP diagnosed me with depression and prescribed me an antidepressant (which I bought but never took). I told them that the main issue is the anxiety, not the depression, which just a secondary issue. They had me speak to a mental health wellbeing service, who then made the diagnosis of social anxiety.

I've been attending cognitive behavioural therapy for about a couple months now, which is going pretty well. However, I'm worried about how this will affect my medical exam and K1 interview, both because of the diagnoses and because of the social anxiety as a whole. I tend to shake, sweat, and struggle to talk a whole lot in situations such as presentations and interviews, so I imagine that could ring some alarm bells. I've never self-harmed or done anything else dangerous to myself or others.

So I guess my questions are: will this affect my chances of getting the K1 visa? If so, what do I need to do to minimise the effects?

Thanks!

[lurdino 9]

Welcome!

I know how nerve-wracking facing the medical with a history of mental health issues can be, but - especially in UK - it's honestly much easier than you think.

The most important thing is to document and evidence your treatment/issues. Get a letter from your GP that states that you're not a danger to yourself or anyone else, and detailing your treatment. If you can, get letters from your therapist or from someone from the mental health wellbeing service. Write up your own short primer explaining your issues as you see them. You said you're nervous about your performance at interview - it might be useful to mention that, for instance, with a few sentences explaining how you prepare yourself/cope with the aftermath. A few references from people who've known you a long time (your fiancée counts!) can also help.

I went to the medical with a history of serious self-harm, a letter from my GP and some references from family and friends stating I'm not a danger to myself or others. I had absolutely no problem and I just found out my interview at the embassy is in three weeks. So long as you're prepared and able to answer a few questions, you should be fine.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Here's a template that Knightsbridge Clinic (London) gave one of our UK members. You could ask you doctor to prepare something like that in advance and take it with you.

My fiance indicated he had battled some depression 3 years ago while going thru the separation from his wife. He took with him a letter from his doctor but Knightsbridge asked for this additional information. Just thought I would share so that you know all they will be asking. Hope this helps. He was given a form by the doctor and asked to have his doctor provide the following information. Please provide a brief medical report outlining:

• Diagnosis
• Investigations - if any
• Treatment
• Duration of treatments and illness
• Any prior or subsequent mental health illness
• Any incidents of self-harm, harm to others or suicidal attempts
• Prognosis and your opinion of current mental state

[gimbaless 0]

I would just like to say as a USC living in the USA, and after being severely injured in my life, it resulted in my financial bankruptcy because of our capitalistic system of high cost medical care.

At this moment a British woman TRAPPED in America after falling ill while visiting her daughter and racking up £300,000 in medical bills not covered by her travel insurance which was denied in the United States:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/travel_news/article-3452767/British-woman-TRAPPED-America-falling-ill-visiting-daughter-racking-300-000-medical-bills-not-covered-insurance.html

My point is that when it comes to medical care and anxiety, your moving to the USA from the medical care you can get in Canada or your country, in my opinion, is a recipe for further mental decline.

My whole reason for looking for a partner overseas was for me to have a new partner to start a new life from scratch together. But I am one car accident away from financial ruin by living in the USA even with a good job and health insurance because the high deductible health insurance is a joke ... rather a very sick sadistic sick joke on the American people.

The reason why I wrote this post is because when you talking about medical problems, I am asking myself why you would want to come to the USA. I get anxiety every day from being afraid to see a medical doctor for how much it is going to cost me.

Edited February 24, 2016 by gimbaless

[Ailu 0]

Welcome!

I know how nerve-wracking facing the medical with a history of mental health issues can be, but - especially in UK - it's honestly much easier than you think.

The most important thing is to document and evidence your treatment/issues. Get a letter from your GP that states that you're not a danger to yourself or anyone else, and detailing your treatment. If you can, get letters from your therapist or from someone from the mental health wellbeing service. Write up your own short primer explaining your issues as you see them. You said you're nervous about your performance at interview - it might be useful to mention that, for instance, with a few sentences explaining how you prepare yourself/cope with the aftermath. A few references from people who've known you a long time (your fiancée counts!) can also help.

I went to the medical with a history of serious self-harm, a letter from my GP and some references from family and friends stating I'm not a danger to myself or others. I had absolutely no problem and I just found out my interview at the embassy is in three weeks. So long as you're prepared and able to answer a few questions, you should be fine.

Very reassuring - thanks!

Here's a template that Knightsbridge Clinic (London) gave one of our UK members. You could ask you doctor to prepare something like that in advance and take it with you.

Thanks, I'll give this a try.

I would just like to say as a USC living in the USA, and after being severely injured in my life, it resulted in my financial bankruptcy because of our capitalistic system of high cost medical care.

At this moment a British woman TRAPPED in America after falling ill while visiting her daughter and racking up £300,000 in medical bills not covered by her travel insurance which was denied in the United States:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/travel_news/article-3452767/British-woman-TRAPPED-America-falling-ill-visiting-daughter-racking-300-000-medical-bills-not-covered-insurance.html

My point is that when it comes to medical care and anxiety, your moving to the USA from the medical care you can get in Canada or your country, in my opinion, is a recipe for further mental decline.

My whole reason for looking for a partner overseas was for me to have a new partner to start a new life from scratch together. But I am one car accident away from financial ruin by living in the USA even with a good job and health insurance because the high deductible health insurance is a joke ... rather a very sick sadistic sick joke on the American people.

The reason why I wrote this post is because when you talking about medical problems, I am asking myself why you would want to come to the USA. I get anxiety every day from being afraid to see a medical doctor for how much it is going to cost me.

It's not generalised anxiety, it's mostly specific to situations where I'm interacting with somebody in authority. It's not going to be a problem often, and when it is, the therapy I'm receiving and support from my partner will be more than enough to get me through.

As for USA's medical care, I know it's a complete joke but every country has its risks!

[Pork and Beans 4]

Very reassuring - thanks!

Thanks, I'll give this a try.

It's not generalised anxiety, it's mostly specific to situations where I'm interacting with somebody in authority. It's not going to be a problem often, and when it is, the therapy I'm receiving and support from my partner will be more than enough to get me through.

As for USA's medical care, I know it's a complete joke but every country has its risks!

Level of care? Not so much a joke actually.

Cost of care? Yes, that's a joke aka outrageous.

Regarding mental health issues, kudos to you for addressing your issue and dealing with it appropriately, that's huge.

Good luck on your journey.

[maguap 5]

If the GP prescribed you something, I would either make sure I was taking it or speak to the GP about deciding not to take it. I'm saying this as a US citizen with a diagnosis of anxiety and depression. So it won't come up in my application process but it came up in my divorce a few years ago and as long as you are following recommended treatment, you will be fine. It's nothing to be ashamed of and I wish you the best with your interview! Some of my closest friends and coworkers do not even know I have anxiety and depression. I see a doctor regularly here in the US and am just fine. I had my doctor write a letter of my mental stability and I would think you could do the same. I had my first panic attack when I was 15, attempted suicide at 20, and decided I had to feel better. I now have a graduate degree, stable career, two children, a fiance, a happy life, a meanie head husband that tried to use this against me and failed, and no huge debt due to medical bills. I just want you to know depression and anxiety do not define you Be honest and you'll be fine.

Best of luck!

[TBoneTX 46,125]

*** Thread is moved from K-1 Process forum to the Embassy/Consulate forum -- topic involves that stage. ***

[Gc&dl 4]

Your best bet is to have a letter of recommendation from your psychiatrist that you are clear to go.